childminder or day nursery??

Thanks everyone for your great advice and insightful comments. Have made a few calls and we're going to see a few childminders and nurseries and see what feels right for DS. Hopefully we'll find someone/where that's a good fit for him and an arrangement that works for us.

Depends on the child,mine hated nursery and never settled, I took him out and put him with childminder and he settled within a week so whatever you choose you are not stuck with your decision. I have friends whose children where very happy at the same nursery. All childminders are different too. Go and visit a few, I would always say childminder over nursery but then I am a childminder now.

I was going to say that nurseries are better because they are more dependable, but actually it is much more important that you are happy with the quality of the care, than the kind of setting.

There are great child minders (house dedicated to kids, suitable toys for all ages, plenty of visits to music and dance classes etc) and naff ones (e.g. tv on lots, only 1 child at home for most of the day, more interested in their own kids, chatting with their friends or going round to their mum's than looking after your dc).

Equally their are great nurseries (my ds2 goes to one such) and naff nurseries (my ds1 went to one, though I didn't realised at the time that they weren't helping to bring on his development as they should).

Wherever you choose, pop in on them at unexpected moments, always ask what they've been doing that day, see how happy/sad your child is when you drop them off.

I think you need to go as soon as possible to visit some nurseries and childminders -its the only way to get feel for what is important to you - plus finding good providers with places may be the challenge. CM is my preference for under 3s for the reasons above - and have used various ones for 7 years and CM have I think been ill 2 days in that time. My DCs have made lovely frineds at CM and its more of family atmosphere - so play will different ages as well as peer which I really like

As a cm but also mum of 2 who has used both cm & nursery I would say the best of both worlds is find a really good cm who is happy to accommodate pre-school drop off & collection when they get a bit older. Age 3 is when they get a funded place which makes sense as most cm will still charge when they are at pre-school as it takes up 1 of their spaces. I usually take my minded children out in the morning (toddler groups, park, library etc) so plenty of chance for socialising but they get that 1:2:1 care, quiet place to sleep etc which I found important for younger children.

I think my 18 month old did best at the childminder, then I added in a nursery when he was about 2 (and was used to going out and being away from me and with other children) and for him that worked really well. A couple of days with the childminder for calmness, and a couple of days at nursery for getting used to the formal idea

The childminder was more like going to a friend's house to play, very calm, homely etc. Whereas nursery was a more school-like environment.

I'm going to switch him fully to nursery (well, 9-3) in September once he's 3, in preparation for going to proper school the year after.

And ... many CMs go toddler groups, parks, etc, so the children socialise a lot. I have children who have been with me since 6 months old and have grown up and gone to school, but still come to me in the holidays.

Thanks exhaustipated and twinkle. Thanks for your advice. I didn't know that, I just assumed it was one child, one childminder. I would definitely prefer a childminder in that case. I'll let DP know that it's likely toddlermouse won't be alone.

Childminders aren't 1 on 1 - I have 3 under 5 and 3 over 5's after school, plus they make friends with children at toddler groups and on outings. I care for a very shy little girl who was struggling to make friends at school but because she sees a little girl at the park they are now firm friends at school too. A childminder would be more consistent as its always the same person, but nursery would have a few adults do it depends what you want.

It's a very personal decision for each parent, and probably depends on the child too. I would prefer a childminder up to (and possibly beyond) the age of about 2.5 or 3, when socialising with peers becomes more important.

At 18 months, your child certainly doesn't 'need' nursery to socialise, but that's not to say it would be a bad choice, as long as your DS is able to form an attachment to a keyworker and likes the setting.

At the moment my 18mo DS is looked after by my DP who works as a freelance writer and I go to uni and work part time but that's all set to change. DP has gotten a new full time job starting in a few weeks time. My personal tutor and head of course has assured me that I can get partly subsidised childcare so I should go ahead and look for a childcare provider but me and DP have completely opposing views on this. I think a childminder would be best as the care would be 1 on 1. But DP thinks a nursery would be better for socialization with other kids. (I pointed out at Toddlermouse's age they just parallel play) but am warming to the idea.

What are your experiences of both, fellow mumsnetters? Pros/cons? And when we do make a decision how do we go about choosing a provider? What do we need to look out for?

(In the period with no childcare DPs retired dad has agreed to look after DS but this is by no means a possible full time option)